Antiskid tire chain



April 22, 1952 M. w. PIKE 2,594,068

ANTISKID TIRE CHAIN Filed Sept. ll. 1950 :inventor Gttornegr jatented pr. 242, 100952 7'4":

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANTISKID TIRE CHAIN Milow W. Pike, Omaha, Nebr. Application September 11, 1950, Serial No. 184,308 z claims. (c1. 152-242) This invention relates to an improvement in anti-skid tire chains, and more particularly to the type of tire chains capable of application to a tire without the necessity oi raising the wheel from the ground.

The invention consists of a tire chain employing a plurality of cross chains, the ends of which are connected on one side of the wheel to a single side chain which is provided with means for con necting the ends thereof together; and the ends of the cross chains extending to the opposite side of the tire are connected to a sectional ring like member which is provided With means for locking the sectional members together when the sectional members are moved to a position simulating a circle. The tire chain so constructed affording the necessary gripping action on the tire to produce a good friction surface and increase the traction of the tire under adverse weather conditions in traveling over or thro-ugh mired surfaces.

An object of the invention is to provide an antiskid chain which may be applied or removed from a Wheel from a Crouching position without the necessity of raising the wheel from the ground.

A further object is to eliminate the necessity of passing any cross chain beneath the tire, as with this invention the proper spacing of the cross chains will take place as the wheel is rotated in the operation of the wheel.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a tire showing the invention app-lied to the inner surface of a tire.

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation showing the application of the invention to a tire.

Figure 3 is a detail View in side elevation showing the sectional members of the sectional ring member, showing the position assumed by the ring member in its application to a tire.

Figure 4 is a similar View taken from the opposite side of the ring member to illustrate the manner of connecting the sectional members of the ring together,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional View in detail of the locking mechanism, taken on line 5--5 of Figure l.

Figure 6 is a view in top plan in detail showing the manner of joining the sectional members of the ring member together.

In the drawings I0 represents the tire having a rim portion II. The tire chain consists of a circular ring like member which is preferably an incomplete circle, and consists of two light weight arcuate shaped metal sections or members I2 and I3. This ring member is preferably positioned on the inner side of the tire adjacent the vehicle body. Connected to the sections or members I2 and I3 are a series of cross chains I4 which extend vacross the tread of the vtire I0. These chains may be attached to the members I2 and I3 in any suitable manner, but, I have shown the end links of the chains passing through openings I5 in the members I2 and I3. The ends of the cross chains I4 extending on the outer surface of the tire are connected to a single side chain I6 and the ends of the side chain are connected together by suitable locking means Il.

The sections or members I2 and I3 are joined together by a hinge joint wherein the section I2 is provided with a plate I8 which is attached thereto by a bolt I9 and nut 20 with a spring washer interposed between the member I2 and nut 20. Disposed on the opposite .side of the member I2 from the plate I8 is a link plate 22. The plates I8 and 22 are connected together by a rivet 23 which passes through the plates and member I2 for rigidly holding the plate I8 to the member I2 but allowing the link plate 22 to have a pivotal movement with respect to the member I2. A member I3 is pivotally connected to the plate "I8 by means of a steel sleeve 24. A rivet 26 passes through the member I3 and plate 22. The rivet being received in an arcuate slot 21 formed in the plate 22 for limiting the travel of the member I3, see Figure 4, when the members I2 and I3 are swung about the pivot sleeve 24. The plate 22 is provided with a hole or opening 28 adjacent an end of the slot 2l. This opening 28 is adapted to register with the opening in the sleeve 24 when the members I2 and I3 have been moved to their innermost position in forming a ring or circle like member as shown in Figure: l. A locking pin 30 is mounted in the plate I8 and projects through the sleeve 24 and into the opening 28 when the members I2 and I3 are in their innermost position as illustrated in Figure l, for retaining the members against any outward movement. The pin 30 is provided with a collar 3l for limiting its travel into the plates I8. 22 and member I3. A flat spring 32 is secured to the plate I8 by the bolt I9 and is provided with a forked end which engages the pin and collar 3| for urging the pin through the openings in the plates I8 and 22 and sleeve 24. A suitable for application to tires without elevating the4 wheel or tire from the ground, and also to. make it adaptable and usable with cars having low fenders or skirts which cover portions of the wheel. Furthermore,` it is unnecessary to move the vehicle in order to apply'and'se'cure the tire chain to a tire. In applying the tire chain to 'a wheel the members I2 and I3 of the ring member :arepreferably'swung tothe position as illustrated :rLFigures Sand Ltraiter the pin 30 has been withdrawn from the plate ,22 to allow the swinging of thesemembers in an 'outward direction. The ringmember is now ready to be positioned along Vthe-,inner sideof the tire with the cross chains extending across the tread and upon application .of pressure on eitheror bcthof the members I2 .and I3 they will be moved toward each other to .produce aring like member, and in so doing Vthe pin. 30.whch is under tension of therspring 32 will immediately enter the opening 28 in the link `plate 22 when this opening is brought into registry withthe sleeve 24 thereby securing the ring member in position. TheV ends of the side chain Iii .are-now brought together andsecured by the lock- Ving means II. The tire chain is now secured upon the wheel orxtire and is ready for use.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the vtire chain may be easily and quickly applied and removed froma tire without the necessity of elevating thewheel fromthe ground. The removal 4 is easily accomplished upon grasping the head of pin 30 and withdrawing the pin from engagement with the link plate 22, which will release the sections I2 and I3 allowing them to be swung outwardly and thereby pulled off from the tire with the cross chains I4.

I claim:

1. A tire chain, comprising a single side chain having end joining means, a pair of members `hinged together for swinging movement toward and from each other, a plate fixed to one of said members and pivotally connected to said other member, a link plate pivotally connected to said members having means for limiting the movement of said members, means carried by said firstnarned plate for'engagement with said link plate to hold said members against-,movement with respect to each other, and cross chains connecting said side-chain to said members.

2. A tire chain comprising a single side chain having end joiningmeans, a pair of hinged members,y cross chains connecting said sideY chain to said members, a plate connectedto-one member, a sleeve pivotally connecting said plate tosaid other member, a link plate pivotally connecting said members having an openingtherein, adapted to register With said sleeve on movement-of said members, and means carried by saidv first-named plate and said sleeve adapted to be projectedinto said opening of said link plate to lock saidmembers together.

MILOW W. PIKE.`

REFERENCES CITED `The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Roff Oct. 16, y1942 

